Meet Karlien Clerebaut

Telephone:

+ 32 2 426 14 14

Email:

karlien.clerebaut@altius.com

Karlien advises and represents national and international clients on a broad range of employment and social security matters, acting both in an advisory capacity and in contentious proceedings. Her practice focuses on individual employment disputes, with particular expertise in matters relating to incapacity for work and the protection of employees’ rights.

She regularly advises on complex issues arising in the context of long-term incapacity for work, including the rights and obligations of employers and employees, reintegration processes and the continuation or termination of employment relationships. She also assists clients in disputes concerning the protection of employees and other sensitive employment-related matters, providing advice that combines a detailed understanding of the applicable legal framework with a clear focus on the practical and strategic interests at stake.

Karlien has experience in handling employment and social security disputes from an early stage through to litigation. She assists clients in assessing their position, developing an appropriate strategy and, where necessary, represents them before the competent courts and authorities. Her approach is characterised by a strong focus on the specific circumstances of each case, with an emphasis on clear, pragmatic and legally robust solutions.

In addition to her contentious practice, Karlien advises clients on the employment and social security implications of individual employment situations, helping them navigate complex regulatory requirements and manage potential disputes effectively.

Education

• Master of Laws (University of Leuven – KU Leuven)
• Specialized Master in Labour Law (Université Libre de Bruxelles – ULB)

Languages

• Karlien is fluent in Dutch, English and French.

Selection of publications

• K. CLEREBAUT, “Ontslag beschermde werknemers”, in Arbeidsrecht, F. HENDRICKX and C. ENGELS (eds.), Brugge, Die Keure, 2025, 135-211.
• K. CLEREBAUT, “TUPE Regulations in selected European countries”, contribution in ILLN Newsletter May 2025, 2-3.
• K. CLEREBAUT, “European Works Council (EWC) in selected European countries”, contribution in ILLN Newsletter September 2025, 4-6.
• K. CLEREBAUT, “Pijnpunten van de wet van 19 maart 1991 blootgelegd”, Or. 2025, 2-
• E. WAUTERS and K. CLEREBAUT, “Incapacité de travail des travailleurs en 2023 : quelles sont les nouveautés ?”, Ors. 2023, 2-21.
• 2022 K. CLEREBAUT, “Ontslag beschermde werknemers”, in Arbeidsrecht, F. HENDRICKX and C. ENGELS (eds.), Brugge, Die Keure, 2022, 213-285.

Selection of seminars and webinars

• Wat betekent het regeerakkoord voor uw HR-beleid? (webinar 2025)
• Directive 2001-23/EC in Belgium law (ILLN seminar 2025)
• Ontslagbescherming personeelsafgevaardigden en kandidaat-afgevaardigden in de ondernemingsraad en in het comité voor preventie en bescherming op het werk (webinar 2024)
• Nieuwe regels inzake arbeidsongeschiktheid van werknemers (webinar 2023)
• Sociaal overleg (seminar Infotopics 2023)
• Furlough: More than ever a salvation in uncertain times (webinar 2023)
• De arbeidsovereenkomst: Een passende schoen voor uw voet? (webinar 2022)
• Concurrentiebedingen (webinar 2021)
• Arbeidsongeschiktheid, Progressieve werkhervatting en Re-integratie, Beëindiging arbeidsovereenkomst (webinar 2021)